Join the Resistance: Inauguration Week Events in Washington, DC
Tomorrow, depending on where you stand, you will either be celebrating or mourning the inauguration of Donald J. Trump into office as the 45th President of the United States. Regardless of the circumstances, we do know one thing is for certain: there will many demonstrations, rallies, and “anti-inaugural balls” taking place over the next couple of days. Below is a list of some of the largest anti-Trump rallies, events, and protests taking place in the nation’s capital:
January 19
2017 Peace Ball: Voices of Hope and Resistance
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Sponsored by Busboys and Poets, a popular local café chain, the Peace Ball will be “gathering of artists and activists and progressives to sort of take a moment and pause and assess all the successes we’ve had for the past few years—successes around the environment, around marriage equality, around women’s rights.” The attendee list is filled with famous authors, actors, and notable organizers. Described as an alternative to anti-Trump protests, the “celebration” will be filled with dancing, live-music, and food.
January 20
#DisruptJ20 Festival of Resistance
Union Station’s Columbus Circle
#DISRUPT J20, organized by the DC Welcoming Committee, has different types of “direct action” events throughout the week ranging from rallies, to a “know your rights” training, to a Queer Dance Party at Vice President-elect Mike Pence’s house. #Disrupt J20 is calling on all “people of good conscience to join together and disrupt the inauguration ceremonies of Donald Trump.”
Taking place on Inauguration Day, the “Festival of Resistance” is a march from Columbus Circle to McPherson Square. After the march, activists will meet protesters from the nearby Occupy Inauguration march and hold a rally at 3pm. This march will parallel the inauguration parade route a few streets away.
The People’s Inaugural Ball
Vieux Carre
Sponsored by the Youth & College division of the NAACP, this semi-formal event, specifically for young people of color, “will celebrate #blackjoy as [they] we prepare to resist any threats to liberty and justice for all.”
The Resistance Un-Ball
Washington Ethical Society
Hosted by the Washington Ethical Society, this event plans to be “an evening filled with love, support, and resistance.” Both members and non-members, as well as their children, are encouraged to attend and participate activities such as: poster making for the Women’s March the next day, music and dancing, and open-mic for comedy and improvisation.
January 21
Women’s March on Washington
Independence Avenue and Third Street, near the U.S. Capitol
Everyone’s heard about the Women’s March on Washington, which aims to “send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world, that women’s rights are human rights.” Organizers are “encouraging support on a range of social justice issues that affect women, from reproductive health to immigration, the environment, LGBTQ rights and stopping racism.” The event will begin with a rally at 10:00am, then marching at 1:15pm. An estimated 200,000 people are expected to participate—more than the estimated number of people planning to attend the presidential inauguration.
The American Humanist Association is a proud sponsor of the historic march. Humanists stand for women’s equality and condemn all forms of gender-based violence, restrictions on women’s reproductive choices, and any attempts to reduce women to second-class citizens.
If you are planning to come to the Women’s March in DC and would like to march with the AHA, meet your fellow humanists on January 21 between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. outside the Smithsonian Metro Station, National Mall exit. We will be holding a large blue “Humanists for Women’s Equality” banner and will walk together in solidarity when the march begins at 10:00am. For more information, visit www.americanhumanist.org/womensmarch.
Are you planning to attend one of the events mentioned here? If so, please let us know and comment below!